THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

Part II Chapter 4THE SILENCE'In spite of my silence, I speak with all the tongues of the world'(1)Meher Baba became silent on 10 July 1925, three and a half years after realizing himself, when he wasthirty-one years old. He then used a pencil and slate or paper for communication; in another eighteen months,on 2 January 1927, he ceased to write.At first he employed gestures, but soon took to the use of an alphabet board in Roman lettering. Theboard was a ready method of communication, making conversation with him easy. He pointed to the lettersand used a variety of signs and gestures. Normally the board would be 'read' by one of the mandali when hereceived visitors, or addressed groups of people or meetings. This continued for more than twenty-nine years,until on 7 October 1954 when he discarded the board. Thereafter he communicated by means of gestureswith which those around him became familiar. The interpretation of these gestures by some of the mandali,in particular by Eruch Jessawala, is remarkably well done. Eruch is with him continually and has become sonear to him in spirit that he reads Baba like a book. When statements of great importance have to be made,the alphabet is spoken and Baba indicates the letters to make up the words he wants.There can be little doubt that the silence and cessation of writing were connected. Why he ceased to speakand write Baba has explained only vaguely, though much natural curiosity is aroused; the first questionasked when people come to know about him or to see him is why he does it. That both silence and nonwritingare of great significance is certain; not surprisingly Baba does not explain. Silence is the answer tosilence.Baba occasionally enjoins silence upon his followers, usually for no more than a day at a time, thoughcertain disciples have been ordered to maintain silence for longer periods, sometimes indefinitely. Normally,